Objective: To collect data on the use of hormonal contraception in the Czech Republic in 1998. Setting: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Charles University School of Medicine and General University Hospital Prague. Methods: A total of 2.134 questionnaires were sent to Czech gynaecologists in spring 1999. A total of 418 answers were processed. Results: The estimated number of users presenting in gynaecologist’s offices participating in our project was 237.099 women. The most often prescribed contraceptives were monophasic products (54.38%) containing 30 - 35 mg of ethinyl-estradiol (55.21%) with new progestins (53.8%) (norgesti- mate, gestoden, desogestrel). Regular follow-up of hormonal contraceptive users included the following examinations/tests: blood count in 8.5% offices, ultrasound examination in 8.0% offices, lipid spectrum in 49.8% offices, blood pressure in 74% offices, colposcopy in 97.6% offices, oncolo- gical cytology in 98.4% offices and liver tests in 77.1% gynecologist’s offices. Only 10.85% of the gynaecologists did not perform lipid tests, almost 20% gynaecologists measured blood pressure only selectively in some users. 80 cases of cardiovascular disease were diagnosed, a figure consis- tent with an 0.0325% incidence of users. The most frequent complication was deep venous throm- bosis (58 cases). The subgroup of women experiencing a cardiovascular event was not characterized by older age, higher body weight, more frequent smoking, or use of products with a higher oestrogen contents. Conclusion: There were major differences among gynaecologists in the follow-up of hormonal contraception users. The pattern of the products used varied markedly by regions. The number of diagnosed cardiovascular diseases was very low. Users with a previous a cardiovascular event were only exceptionally carriers of a risk factor.

        Key words: hormonal contraception, cardiovascular disease, deep vein thrombosis, liver tests, lipids